10 Tips for Sticking to Your Weight Loss Goals While Still Enjoying Some Holiday Cheer

Eating a healthy diet as part of a weight loss plan works best when it’s embedded into your lifestyle. Yet there’s nothing like tradition to tempt you into old habits of eating large portions and shrugging off proper nutrition. There’s no question that the holidays are full of temptation, from family gatherings, to parties, to special dinners on the town. To continue to meet your weight loss goals, one thing is certain: You need a plan.

Accept the challenge

If you’re new to managing weight loss, it’s important to realize your goals are likely going to be threatened over the holiday season. Managing your weight sometimes means managing your expectations. Depriving yourself of seasonal cheer may be good for your waistline, but emotionally, it may feel like you’re on the sidelines.

In order to balance celebrating the season with staying on track with your weight loss goals, you need to allow yourself room to indulge without losing control. To help you do that, Dr. Carolyn Reid of Reid Physicians Group in Jacksonville, Florida, has compiled a list of 10 tips to help you stay healthy and have some fun, too.

1. Document your plan

No matter what strategy you devise, put it in writing. Whether you’re counting calories, writing a food diary, logging your body weight, or scheduling workouts, you need to see your plan in concrete form.

2. Portions are everything

Choose smaller plates whenever possible. Adequate portions are more appealing when they aren’t lost in the empty space of a large dinner plate. Know the types of food and proportions you need, and load your plate by these priorities.

3. Remember your motivation

If you’re suffering from a health condition, such as diabetes, remind yourself periodically why you have your weight loss and dietary goals. The prospect of living to enjoy many more holiday seasons will often beat the temptations of the current one.

4. Don’t ignore your appetite

While the prospect of eating a delicious dinner may tempt you to not eat a meal or go light throughout the day, this is an invitation to unhealthy overeating when you sit down for dinner later. Furthermore, eating a large meal after not eating for much of the day will not help you maintain consistent blood sugar levels.

5. Shift your emphasis

The holidays are synonymous with snacking from bowls of treats scattered around the living room. Instead of the sugar rush, choose a Christmas movie or attend a holiday concert.

6. Fruits and veggies

Eat your favorite fruits and vegetables to ward off hunger and keep your appetite in check. It’s easier to take only one cookie if you’re not famished.

7. Watch the alcohol

When you drink alcohol, you get a lot of empty calories. That means you’ll still be hungry, but you’ll have taken in a lot of calories you didn’t need.

8. Chill out

Stress can often be a side effect of the holidays. With all the pressure to make things perfect, you may be inviting mood swings, which can lead to emotional overeating. Stay rested and in control.

9. Don’t surrender your routine

When you’re successfully shedding pounds, it’s important to maintain healthy habits. Continue your workout routine and dietary plan with your eyes on the end goal.

10. Have a holiday buddy

Enlist aid if you have a hard time facing tempting situations. Whether it’s a family member, friend, or colleague, just make sure you have a support system. If you have someone you can lean on, you’ll have a better chance of staying on track.

If you need help with your weight loss plan, contact me and the team at Reid Physicians Group online or over the phone today.

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